Agenda in the EU Turkey: ‘Schengen visa’ proposal in exchange for a refugee agreement

While Europe is seeking a new agreement with Turkey to prevent the rapid increase in the influx of irregular migrants recently, it was claimed that Greece is considering providing Schengen visa facilities to Turkey as a solution.

The agreement signed between Turkey and the EU in 2016, which stipulates that irregular migrants going to Europe will be returned to Turkey, has been generating controversy in Europe lately.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the agreement should be updated: “The current refugee agreement between the EU and Turkey is not working well.” Greek Immigration Minister Dimitri Karidis also noted that they want the agreement with Turkey to be renewed and its scope expanded, saying: “This is a problem between Europe and Turkey. “We want an agreement and the atmosphere is positive,” he said.

‘ATHENS HAS 3 REQUESTS FROM ANKARA’

The issue of preventing the influx of migrants was recently raised in Greece’s highest decision-making body in the field of foreign affairs and defence. According to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Athens is seeking a new agreement with Turkey against irregular migration and is willing to make some concessions in exchange.

Kathimerini stated that Greece has three demands from Turkey: better control of land and sea borders, a tougher fight against human traffickers and the acceptance of extraditions from Greece. Also among the suggestions is the establishment of an emergency line for direct communication between border security officials of the two countries.

The Greek newspaper wrote that in response to these demands, Athens is considering providing convenience to Turkish citizens with Schengen visas, but this requires approval from EU countries.

According to the news, the Greek Minister of Migration, Kairidis, will discuss the issue today in Brussels with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, and with the German Minister of the Interior, Faeser.

THE BIGGEST MIGRATION CRISIS SINCE 2015

It is claimed that if an agreement is reached, EU countries will receive a certain number of Syrian refugees each year.

Europe has been going through a crisis recently due to the increasing influx of migrants, especially to the coasts of Italy and Greece. This is claimed to be the biggest migration crisis Europe has faced in recent years following the influx of Syrian migrants in 2015.